My daily therapy. Many thanks brother. Hey Jamel - re the Mighty Steely Dan: I know how much you like it funky so you just gotta check out "Jack of Speed" from the superb "Two Against Nature" album. As always thanks for the love sanity and therapy! Here are the Jack of Speed lyrics as bait! Teddy's rolling now most every night Skatin' backwards at the speed of light He's changed in a thousand little ways He's changed yes indeed You know he's movin' on metal yes he's Hanging tight with the Jack of Speed Sheena's party there's a case in point That right wing hooey sure stunk up the joint He's gone he walks through the old routines But he's gone guaranteed He may be sittin' in the kitchen, but he's Steppin' out with the Jack of Speed You maybe got lucky for a few good years But there's no way back from there to here He's a one way rider On the shriek express And his new best friend is at the throttle more or less He can't hear you honey, that's alright Pack some things and head up into the light Don't stop, he'll be callin' out your name But don't stop when you hear him plead You better move now little darlin' or you'll be Trading fours with the Jack of Speed
Let's put this song in context - The Letter came out in 1967 - during the Vietnam War - where letters were the only way for soldiers to contact their loved ones back home. Letters were SO IMPORTANT to soldiers - that it's hard to explain. This song struck a nerve with millions of people at the time. The Letter put into words what a lot of people were feeling during the war.
Side fact: 2 million Vietnamese innocent civilians died in that war - 10% of the population- yet the USA state feels no remorse for this vast industrial slaughter. The cancer of imperialism. French losing control in the 50s was a clear message
Yup. People need to go read the letters from back then. Read the letters from the Revolution, the civil war, WWII, etc. You see how important and eloquent the letters were.
One of my extra duties when I served in the Army, 1978-1990, was as unit postal clerk, then Squadron Postal NCOIC. Letters from home were always important to morale. The break up letters weren't cool. I received one from my then fiance six months after enlisting. Oh well, worked out well.
My father is a Vietnam War vet, and when he was discharged, this was the song that played on the radio on his way back home...upon his return, he met the girl who would be my mom. This song means a lot to my dad, he loves this song...turns it up every time it's on the radio.
Dean it’s great to hear a Vietnam Vet story with a happy ending. GOD bless him and please thank him for his service during a very difficult time in our history.
Alex Chilton went on to be the lead singer of the influential power pop band Big Star: React to these Big Star songs: September Gurls, Thirteen, In The Street, The Ballad of El Goodo, I'm In Love With A Girl, Thank You Friends, O My Soul, Jesus Christ, Holocaust, and Kanga Roo.
I'm a huge fan of Big Star! It's fascinating to me that Alex's singing voice sounds so very different in Big Star than in the Box Tops. He hardly even sounds like the same person!
Big Star, the most overlooked band ever, better than almost everyone, second to none, I'm still unable to understand how the hell they're absolutely unknown except for some minories
This video always makes me smile because all these bands back then had to lip synch for these videos, and these guys don't even try to hide it - especially the keyboard player whose antics almost crack up the singer.
Ya - it was the early days - before MTV and all of that. You can see these guys are just weirded out by this but boy they are game for it! Fun to see this - how innocent they look to us now.
Imagine being a soldier fighting in Vietnam and getting a "Dear John" letter from home... Yes, this is the original version of the song, but the Joe Cocker version does it justice and more.
And yet still 17 seconds longer than Stay (Just a Little Bit Longer) by Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs, shortest #1 in history, and ironically entitled Stay...
ts a Looser Story ! ""Pls come fast !! Im pregnant and i need a father for the Baby !! """ ========================================= Always the same .... he is fucking idiot !
JAMEL - PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.PLEASE PLEASE react to Alex's later band Big Star. HUGE cult following, very influential on other artists and never got the love back in the day because of label issues. "September gurls", "o, my soul", "ballad of El goodo". So many good songs. That would be the ultimate keeping great music alive band.
Just listening to #1 Record in my car, still one of my favorites - Jamel, I join with others in asking you to review them. One of the most underrated - and brilliant - bands of the 1970s.
@@chitowngirl9288 You should really try Big Star. They are the ultimate cult band. They were major influences in power pop and indie. September Gurls, Thirteen best known.
@@davidhagedorn5009 Been listening to them for decades! Had the opportunity to see Alex Chilton in San Francisco with The Posies as his backing band. Actually, I'd add that Jamel should review Chris Bell's "I am the Cosmos" LP. As you know he had a tragic ending. Great tune, deep and dark album. If you haven't heard it, definitely check it out.
Alex Chilton was a teenager on this track. Like, 15. He didn't sing like this in BIG STAR. React to : BIG STAR - THIRTEEN. A GREAT BAND WITH A GREAT STORY
It's only right that you do a reaction to the song "Alex Chilton" by The Replacements. Paul Westerberg of The Replacements wrote an interesting memorial to the editorials in the New York Times after Alex died.
The Boxtops are the OG. Alex Chilton lead singer was only 17 years old. Joe Cocker had his first American hit with it in 1970 on his live album Mad Dogs and Englishmen.
Jamel!!! You make the world a brighter place! I'll admit I come on here when I'm having a not so good day and you ALWAYS make it better. Much love from Greece 🇬🇷❤️🇬🇷❤️
The thing to do is scope in on singer Alex Chilton's band Big Star. Due to circumstances out of their control, primarily, they'd signed to Stax Records then headed to bankrupcy, Big Star never made it big. It didn't keep them from writing tunes now regarded as classics like "September Gurls" (covered by The Bangles), "Back of a Car", and "Thirteen".
Remember singing this song in the back of the school bus during 4th grade in 1967. It is still one of few songs that I know all the words to without screwing them up😃😃
This was a huge #1 hit in the US. And it was the Box Tops' debut hit. They would follow it up with several more hits including "Neon Rainbow," "Cry Like A Baby," "Choo Choo Train," "I Met Her In Church," "Sweet Cream Ladies, Forward March," and "Soul Deep." Oh, and this song was only something like 1:56 in length. (Songs were pretty short back then, to fit on top 40 radio stations, many of which played as much as 18 minutes of commercials per hour.) And yes, this is the original. Joe Cocker's version is a cover. And a poor one, at that. Joe Cocker did some great songs, I'm not dissing him. But his best was his debut hit, "Feelin' Alright." Check it out. One of the best soulful rock 'n roll hits ever recorded.
Much appreciate yr in depth blog of the Boxtops. Neon Rainbow is totally forgotten but I love it. Cry like a Baby maybe their biggest. Love it. I keep suggesting Jamel and others to react to The Rascals, tho nothing yet.
"The Letter" reached number one on the Hot 100 singles chart published by Billboard magazine on September 23, 1967. It remained at the top position for four weeks and Billboard ranked the record as the number two song for 1967.
I graduated in 1967. I will say that I heard music mostly on the radio, wasn't into any politics or wars and took my songs at face value. I assumed she wrote him a letter saying she couldn't live without him and he was intent on getting to her as soon as possible. It's got a great beat. This is the first time I ever saw the singers or heard the guy's name. Still love the song.
That singer is Alex Chilton, later from Big Star with Chris Bell. Just about anything from #1 Record is worth reacting to--Thirteen, Ballad of El Goodo, Don't Lie to Me. Great talent.
"The Letter" is a song written by Wayne Carson that was first recorded by the American rock band the Box Tops in 1967. The song was the group's first and biggest record chart hit, reaching number one in the United States and Canada. It was also an international success and reached the top ten in several other countries. The Box Tops lead vocalist Alex Chilton sang "The Letter" in a gruff blue-eyed soul style. The song launched Chilton's career and inspired numerous cover versions. English rock and soul singer Joe Cocker's 1970 rendition became his first top ten single in the U.S.; several other artists have recorded versions of the song which also reached the record charts. Rolling Stone magazine included the Box Tops original at number 372 on its list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time";[1] the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame added it to the list of the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll".[2] In 2011, the single was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.[3] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Letter_(Box_Tops_song)
I knew Wayne Carson. He would occasionally hang around the Flora Bama, Perdido Key, Fl., especially during the Frank Brown annual songwriter festival. I lived next door. He also wrote, Always on my mind" and others
If you like this, the lead singer went on to form a band called Big Star! Daisy Glaze, Thirteen and In The Street is just a few of the many great songs they have
Alex Chilton the lead singer was just 16 at the time this was recorded. Such depth and feeling in his voice that usually takes years of cigarettes and booze to achieve that sound :P. He was later the lead singer for what some dubbed as the "American Beatles" The group "Big Star" also sometimes called the greatest band that never was. They had a few albums but because of distribution issues and the death of a band member never took off. The best-known song by Big Star is probably "in the Street" which became famous as the theme to "That 70's Show" czcams.com/video/7aaI2z9pkGo/video.html a few others to take a listen to are "September Gurls" czcams.com/video/BNKSs1J38EA/video.html and "Thirteen" czcams.com/video/NnEzkeaopmA/video.html
A little story about this song. Yes the Box Tops were a band from Memphis and this was the original song. But when they went into the studio to record it, the producer said that he loved everything about the song, but hated the lead singer. The band members immediately went out and found Alex Chilton to sing for them, and the rest, as they say, is history.
The Box Tops were first by a few years with "The Letter" but Joe Cocker's version is well worth checking out. The Box Tops had a couple of other good songs, but never had anything as big as "The Letter" "Soul Deep" is the suggestion I'd make if you're inclined to give The Box Tops a second listen.
Jamel - if you want to go deeper with this particular singer, you must review Big Star of which Alex Chilton was a founding member. They went real deep in their songwriting. You'll see comments below requesting Big Star tunes. They were brilliant but never made it into the mainstream.
This song is from the Viet Nam era, thousands of draftees stationed overseas. I was in the Air Force stationed in Tripoli, Libya. This became the song for G.I.s
I can't get over how detailed the vocals sound in these old recordings. Alex Chilton definitely had a unique voice. Cry Like A Baby was another huge hit for the Box Tops. Thank you for sharing this one.
Hey Jamel! This is one of the greatest pop/rock songs ever recorded. The lead singer, Alex Chilton, went on to become a well-known record producer. The rock band, The Replacements, wrote a song in tribute to him on their album, "Pleased to Meet Me" (released 1987). He played on their album. The song is easy to find as it's simply called "Alex Chilton". 😄 Peace☮ out!
He was known, to a *certain* degree, as a record producer, but his time in Big Star, as one of their two primary songwriters, for their three original studio albums, was *incredibly influential* among decades of power pop groups and indie rockers and more, up to this very day. If you haven't heard Big Star, you haven't heard what led The Replacements to record that song!
Gotta check out the band Alex was in after this, Big Star. Before its time and very influential. If you watched any TV in the 2000s you'll recognize "In The Street" right away.
When I was a kid, my dad had a real 45 jukebox in the garage workshop. This 45 was on there and was the one song I played more than any other. Dad said the singer was only 16 years old.
@Jamel_AKA_Jamal this was my dad’s favorite song. It reminded him of coming home after his back to back Vietnam tour. I myself am an Iraq/Afghanistan vet and it also hits home for me. RIP Dad. Thanks Jamal!!
@@kona883 I remember!!! I left mine going all night into the next day when I went to school. Mine was downloaded on simba tge original way to get audio wav files onto winamp.
, the lead singer was 16 years old at this recording. The song was written by Wayne Carson that was first recorded by the American rock band the Box Tops in 1967.
I was an eighteen year old freshman in college. A girl across the hall and I would go to every UCLA fraternity house that had a live band and have them play this song so we could pantomime the song and then run to the next house and do it again!!!! But then we called ourselves as Susie Creamcheese and Ethel Thermahorn!!!! And give out the LAPD phone number as ours!!!!!! Those were the days!!!!!!
This came out in 1967, I was born in 1968, so this was my parents' music... but I was raised on it throughout the 1970s. My son was born in 1996, he's almost 25 now, and was raised on the same music. Timeless.
"Upbeat was a syndicated musical variety show produced in Cleveland, Ohio at ABC affiliate WEWS-TV 5 that aired from 1964 to 1971 (the last five years airing nationally in first run syndication).[1]"
I was 6 years old when this song came out and 10 years later, it was still being played on the radio along with Joe Cockers cover. Great tune. PEACE!!!!
I grew up listening to my Mother playing this song and have always loved his voice. I also love Big Star's Thirteen which has also been on my playlist many years. It was only a couple of years ago I found out they were both sung by Alex Chilton. Mind blown! I had no idea. He sounds so different on them. Love and play them both often still
I love this song so much. I totally forgot about it but I woke up with it in my head this morning. That's the best feeling ever. It's like seeing a good friend that you haven't seen in forever. It just makes your heart sing😩💖
Alex Chilton was a kid when he recorded this "One Hit Wonder" type of single. Later on he formed Big Star, which is a hugely influential band. If you really want to keep great music alive :) you should try Big Star.
I'm sure you have already been told that The Box Tops came first. Alex Chilton was only sixteen years old when he sang this song. The Box Tops have another hit called Cry Like A Baby which is pretty much the opposite of what this song is about. I still listen to both songs and enjoy the hell out of them. Jamel, I don't know if you noticed the organ player in the video, he kept pointing to his organ and showing that he wasn't actually playing anything to make fun of the fact that they were just miming to the song.
Jamal and commenters, here are four great songs from the '67 psychedelic period by The Electric Prunes and The Seeds respectively: 1) The Electric Prunes: 1) I Had Too Much To Dream 2) Get Me To The World On Time. 2) The Seeds: 1) Can't Seem To Make You Mine 2) Pushin' Too Hard Enjoy!
Haven't heard this in years! Love the original. A dear friend who passed last year was the horn section arranger of this one and many, many others during this time. This was one of his favs. Anyway, think it's gonna be a Joe Cocker night! Can't wait to watch your JC reaction, Jamel. Keep 'em comin'!
Hey, this is a Boomer song. The cultural back drop was the Vietnam War. No one has come close to the vocal even Joe Cocker who covered it later. I understand that he was only 16 when they recorded it. Brings back good memories.
Such a good song. The organ makes this song higher level. Alex has a great voice, and yes this is the original, though it's been a hit for a few other artists including the Joe Cocker version which is a typical Cocker production! Per your instructions I'm reminding you to get back to Argent...
The kid singing here is Alex Chilton. He went on to found the very influential band Big Star with Chris Bell and later had a pretty solid solo career. He's awesome. Check out some of his stuff, along with Chris Bell's solo stuff off the "I Am The Cosmos" album. They're very underrated musicians.
One thing I liked about these old 60's songs is a almost forgot the old fashion words for things. They use to say aeroplane for air plane, or now they say plane. We used to say telephone, but now we phone. (but now the phone is everything).
This is one of those songs that you remember where you were when you first heard it. I was cruising with my cousin in his '65 GTO, going up I-5 through Burbank. He had a reverb unit hooked up to his radio which enhanced the sound!
@Jamel_AKA_Jamal -- love your channel! Lead singer Alex Chilton was 16 when this was recorded. He later founded a truly excellent band, Big Star. Favorites of theirs includes "Thirteen", "September Gurls" and "The Ballad of El Goodo" Alex was then immortalized by The Replacements in their song "Alex Chilton" where they sing "I'm in love/What's that song?/I'm in love/With that song" The Replacements themselves have many reaction-worthy songs like "Bastards of Young", "The Ledge", "Sixteen Blue"... and of course, my namesake "I Hate Music" :P You can then move on to bands influenced by The Replacements... like Green Day, Wilco, The Hold Steady, Lucero, etc... :) And so it goes...
Singer Alex Chilton sang with Big Star. Their September Gurls was terrific, and covered a lot by soooo many great acts -- like Matthew Sweet & Susannah Hoffs
Got to see Alex Chilton live in Boston twice. The first time was a solo set at The Paradise in 2001. Four years later, I saw him with the Box Tops opening for Eric Burdon & The New Animals at The Esplanade along the Charles River. BTW, if it hasn't been noted previously, Chilton was only 16 when he recorded this song.
This whole Box Tops experience left Alex jaded with the music industry, Big Star was a whole other beast and is the most underrated band of the 70s. September Gurls is a must, check out some Big Star stuff, hopefully soon too. Any of the Big Star suggestions already in the comments are good choices though.
Jamal / Jamel / Jamul !!! A suggestion ... if you want one with slightly deeper lyrics, could be “Take a Letter, Maria” by R. C. Greaves in 1969 (not sure if it’s the original version, but pretty sure it is).
Many of the songs we all loved back then turned out to actually be by the Wrecking Crew with only the singer(s) appearing on the recording. I don't know if it's Carole Kaye or Joe Osbourn on the bass part, but it's really good! Funny to see the band acting like they're playing the parts for this TV appearance.
Summer of 67. My high school graduation. Went from LA, to Miami to NJ/N.Y. I was 17 and this song was played continuously. Also Bus Stop was popular. Yes Joe Cocker was recorded after.... whole different sound....
Alex Chilton went on from this to form Big Star, a band mostly followed by other musicians. For example, Counting Crows change their line in Mr. Jones from "I wanna be Bob Dylan" to "I wanna be Alex Chilton" on tour
This is the first record I ever had my dad passed away and my mum and brother got me a record player and this was with it just brought a tear to my eye as my lovely lovely brother passed away just 2 months ago I miss him so much but thank you 🙏🏽 for playing it brought back great memories 🙏🏽🌹
Oh, man! Now you’ve done it. Let me introduce: Big Star. Alex Chilton, the singer here, formed and fronted a band named Big Star. Zero commercial success but another band who are other band’s favourite band.
‘JUST BE A GOOD HUMAN’ Shirts and More, Enter Promo Code ‘Jamel’ jamel-aka-jamal-youtube-store.creator-spring.com
The Call-Let The Day Begin... Underrated band from the 80's!!
Please check out the band Love. Maybe “The Red Telephone” or something else off Forever Changes.
The Original! Thank you!?!
Why have no one?! 🤔🤔🤔
My daily therapy. Many thanks brother. Hey Jamel - re the Mighty Steely Dan: I know how much you like it funky so you just gotta check out "Jack of Speed" from the superb "Two Against Nature" album. As always thanks for the love sanity and therapy!
Here are the Jack of Speed lyrics as bait!
Teddy's rolling now most every night
Skatin' backwards at the speed of light
He's changed in a thousand little ways
He's changed yes indeed
You know he's movin' on metal yes he's
Hanging tight with the Jack of Speed
Sheena's party there's a case in point
That right wing hooey sure stunk up the joint
He's gone he walks through the old routines
But he's gone guaranteed
He may be sittin' in the kitchen, but he's
Steppin' out with the Jack of Speed
You maybe got lucky for a few good years
But there's no way back from there to here
He's a one way rider
On the shriek express
And his new best friend is at the throttle more or less
He can't hear you honey, that's alright
Pack some things and head up into the light
Don't stop, he'll be callin' out your name
But don't stop when you hear him plead
You better move now little darlin' or you'll be
Trading fours with the Jack of Speed
@@geralddavis7401 This is the original. Joe spent a lot of time in Muscle Shoals at that time. That's why both recorded it.
Lead singer the late Alex Chilton was 16 when he recorded this....helluva voice.
As in The Replacements Alex Chilton?
@@jimmiller8687 That is who that song is about. That’s why Paul never travels far without a little Big Star. ⭐️ I love The Mats!
And yet I understand that he didn't sing like that with Big Star.
I didn’t know that but always loved his voice.
@@johncampbell756 He had quite the smoker’s voice at 16.
Let's put this song in context - The Letter came out in 1967 - during the Vietnam War - where letters were the only way for soldiers to contact their loved ones back home. Letters were SO IMPORTANT to soldiers - that it's hard to explain. This song struck a nerve with millions of people at the time. The Letter put into words what a lot of people were feeling during the war.
Side fact: 2 million Vietnamese innocent civilians died in that war - 10% of the population-
yet the USA state feels no remorse for this vast industrial slaughter.
The cancer of imperialism. French losing control in the 50s was a clear message
@@penderyn8794
Not just Vietnam. One can mention Iran during the 1950s and Latin America as many times as you like.
Yup. People need to go read the letters from back then. Read the letters from the Revolution, the civil war, WWII, etc. You see how important and eloquent the letters were.
One of my extra duties when I served in the Army, 1978-1990, was as unit postal clerk, then Squadron Postal NCOIC. Letters from home were always important to morale. The break up letters weren't cool. I received one from my then fiance six months after enlisting. Oh well, worked out well.
@@penderyn8794 Forgive me but I think most Americans regard the Vietnam conflict a mistake, and regret going there in the first place.
My baby sent me a text - just doesn't have the same ring. Love the older songs, so much feeling.
Or even a tweet or email, all lost on this generation
My father is a Vietnam War vet, and when he was discharged, this was the song that played on the radio on his way back home...upon his return, he met the girl who would be my mom. This song means a lot to my dad, he loves this song...turns it up every time it's on the radio.
Dean it’s great to hear a Vietnam Vet story with a happy ending. GOD bless him and please thank him for his service during a very difficult time in our history.
Thank him for his service, and tell him I said welcome home!
This is the original. Joe Cocker did a cover. But every cover Joe did, he made his own.
Hard to find a song that Joe did that was worse than the original.
@@j.d.6915 couldn't agree more
Yep! Joe loved making his own piece of crap. When asked why he performed drunk, the idiot answered "I sing better when I'm drunk".
@@j.d.6915 Joe was from my home town, saw him live in 1967.
Joe also did a cover from one of The Beatles songs, can't remember which one.
Alex Chilton went on to be the lead singer of the influential power pop band Big Star: React to these Big Star songs: September Gurls, Thirteen, In The Street, The Ballad of El Goodo, I'm In Love With A Girl, Thank You Friends, O My Soul, Jesus Christ, Holocaust, and Kanga Roo.
“Holocaust” is one of the most haunting songs that I’ve ever heard.
I'm a huge fan of Big Star! It's fascinating to me that Alex's singing voice sounds so very different in Big Star than in the Box Tops. He hardly even sounds like the same person!
I would like to see Jamel do the entire "#1 Record" album in one sitting.
Agreed. Big Star influenced sooo many artists and most people have no clue who they are.
Big Star, the most overlooked band ever, better than almost everyone, second to none, I'm still unable to understand how the hell they're absolutely unknown except for some minories
Now I know who Eddie Money got his look from. ;-)
I thought It WAS Eddie Money until I looked him up.😀
It was the first thing I thought! “Eddie”
This video always makes me smile because all these bands back then had to lip synch for these videos, and these guys don't even try to hide it - especially the keyboard player whose antics almost crack up the singer.
Ya - it was the early days - before MTV and all of that. You can see these guys are just weirded out by this but boy they are game for it! Fun to see this - how innocent they look to us now.
We called this TV phonys! Lol
Imagine being a soldier fighting in Vietnam and getting a "Dear John" letter from home... Yes, this is the original version of the song, but the Joe Cocker version does it justice and more.
This is about the *opposite* of a "Dear John" letter.
I was in Vietnam(1971), and did receive a "Dear John" letter. At the time I thought it was probably the worst day of my life.
@@imp736 🇺🇸🙏❤️
@@Justme77400 Appreciated.
Big Star - September Gurls (Alex Chilton)
Jamel needs to listen to The Bangles cover of September Gurls.
Ballad Of El Goodo
Never heard this song. Nice surprise. I was born in 1972. Thank you for making me listen. ❤️
The most efficient 1:53 in pop music history
And yet still 17 seconds longer than Stay (Just a Little Bit Longer) by Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs, shortest #1 in history, and ironically entitled Stay...
@@alvarhanso6310 I love it, and so true.
I remember this from the 45 record... wow
ts a Looser Story !
""Pls come fast !!
Im pregnant and i need a father for the Baby !! """
=========================================
Always the same .... he is fucking idiot !
JAMEL - PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.PLEASE PLEASE react to Alex's later band Big Star. HUGE cult following, very influential on other artists and never got the love back in the day because of label issues.
"September gurls", "o, my soul", "ballad of El goodo". So many good songs.
That would be the ultimate keeping great music alive band.
Was about to write about Big Star! Man, what a band and so influential.
Just listening to #1 Record in my car, still one of my favorites - Jamel, I join with others in asking you to review them. One of the most underrated - and brilliant - bands of the 1970s.
@@chitowngirl9288 You should really try Big Star. They are the ultimate cult band. They were major influences in power pop and indie. September Gurls, Thirteen best known.
Big Star! Yes, yes and yes! Came and gone in a flash but so influential.
Either #1 Record or Radio City would be great full album reviews.
@@davidhagedorn5009 Been listening to them for decades! Had the opportunity to see Alex Chilton in San Francisco with The Posies as his backing band. Actually, I'd add that Jamel should review Chris Bell's "I am the Cosmos" LP. As you know he had a tragic ending. Great tune, deep and dark album. If you haven't heard it, definitely check it out.
Alex Chilton was a teenager on this track. Like, 15.
He didn't sing like this in BIG STAR.
React to : BIG STAR - THIRTEEN.
A GREAT BAND WITH A GREAT STORY
Came out when I was little and always loved it ~ bought me a K-TEL record once just because it had this song on it lol...♡
It's only right that you do a reaction to the song "Alex Chilton" by The Replacements. Paul Westerberg of The Replacements wrote an interesting memorial to the editorials in the New York Times after Alex died.
The Boxtops are the OG. Alex Chilton lead singer was only 17 years old. Joe Cocker had his first American hit with it in 1970 on his live album Mad Dogs and Englishmen.
Should really check out Cockers cover with Mad Dogs & Englishmen
Has Leon Russell on piano. Awesome.
Alex Chilton was 17-years-old when he did this tune. But ....BIG STAR!!! (especially for you young folks aka Jamel... Hanging Out!!!)
Looks a lot like Eddie Money..
@@stevetemple8826 Perhaps, but very different musically.
That song is timeless. I love it!
Jamel!!! You make the world a brighter place! I'll admit I come on here when I'm having a not so good day and you ALWAYS make it better. Much love from Greece 🇬🇷❤️🇬🇷❤️
As a child, this song was my diner booth jukebox selection every time. Plus, I had a huge crush on Alex Chilton (RIP). Love this song. 💜💜💜
The thing to do is scope in on singer Alex Chilton's band Big Star. Due to circumstances out of their control, primarily, they'd signed to Stax Records then headed to bankrupcy, Big Star never made it big. It didn't keep them from writing tunes now regarded as classics like "September Gurls" (covered by The Bangles), "Back of a Car", and "Thirteen".
Remember singing this song in the back of the school bus during 4th grade in 1967. It is still one of few songs that I know all the words to without screwing them up😃😃
I remember singing the Vietnam song by Country Joe and the Fish on the bus
Me too! 4th grade!
This was a huge #1 hit in the US. And it was the Box Tops' debut hit. They would follow it up with several more hits including "Neon Rainbow," "Cry Like A Baby," "Choo Choo Train," "I Met Her In Church," "Sweet Cream Ladies, Forward March," and "Soul Deep." Oh, and this song was only something like 1:56 in length. (Songs were pretty short back then, to fit on top 40 radio stations, many of which played as much as 18 minutes of commercials per hour.)
And yes, this is the original. Joe Cocker's version is a cover. And a poor one, at that. Joe Cocker did some great songs, I'm not dissing him. But his best was his debut hit, "Feelin' Alright." Check it out. One of the best soulful rock 'n roll hits ever recorded.
Much appreciate yr in depth blog of the Boxtops. Neon Rainbow is totally forgotten but I love it. Cry like a Baby maybe their biggest. Love it. I keep suggesting Jamel and others to react to The Rascals, tho nothing yet.
“She Shot a Hole in My Soul” is also great.
@@Mark-iv7np the Rascals, my childhood in 45 RPM.
The Letter, Neon Rainbow, and Soul Deep were all written by the great Wayne Carson.
Big Star - September Gurls is wonderful. An amazing band.
One of my top 10 favourite songs. Simple, but effective.
The late great Alex Chilton, of The Box Tops and Big Star fame. Great talent. RIP
What happened to him ?
This got alot of airplay back in the day. Any errand in the car was magically enhanced when this came on the radio! Love his voice.
"The Letter" reached number one on the Hot 100 singles chart published by Billboard magazine on September 23, 1967. It remained at the top position for four weeks and Billboard ranked the record as the number two song for 1967.
I graduated in 1967. I will say that I heard music mostly on the radio, wasn't into any politics or wars and took my songs at face value. I assumed she wrote him a letter saying she couldn't live without him and he was intent on getting to her as soon as possible. It's got a great beat. This is the first time I ever saw the singers or heard the guy's name. Still love the song.
That singer is Alex Chilton, later from Big Star with Chris Bell. Just about anything from #1 Record is worth reacting to--Thirteen, Ballad of El Goodo, Don't Lie to Me. Great talent.
While I'm thinking about it, since you've done Badfinger's song Day After Day, please do their song Baby Blue.
"The Letter" is a song written by Wayne Carson that was first recorded by the American rock band the Box Tops in 1967. The song was the group's first and biggest record chart hit, reaching number one in the United States and Canada. It was also an international success and reached the top ten in several other countries.
The Box Tops lead vocalist Alex Chilton sang "The Letter" in a gruff blue-eyed soul style. The song launched Chilton's career and inspired numerous cover versions. English rock and soul singer Joe Cocker's 1970 rendition became his first top ten single in the U.S.; several other artists have recorded versions of the song which also reached the record charts.
Rolling Stone magazine included the Box Tops original at number 372 on its list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time";[1] the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame added it to the list of the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll".[2] In 2011, the single was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.[3] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Letter_(Box_Tops_song)
I knew Wayne Carson. He would occasionally hang around the Flora Bama, Perdido Key, Fl., especially during the Frank Brown annual songwriter festival. I lived next door. He also wrote, Always on my mind" and others
If you like this, the lead singer went on to form a band called Big Star! Daisy Glaze, Thirteen and In The Street is just a few of the many great songs they have
Alex Chilton the lead singer was just 16 at the time this was recorded. Such depth and feeling in his voice that usually takes years of cigarettes and booze to achieve that sound :P. He was later the lead singer for what some dubbed as the "American Beatles" The group "Big Star" also sometimes called the greatest band that never was. They had a few albums but because of distribution issues and the death of a band member never took off. The best-known song by Big Star is probably "in the Street" which became famous as the theme to "That 70's Show" czcams.com/video/7aaI2z9pkGo/video.html a few others to take a listen to are "September Gurls" czcams.com/video/BNKSs1J38EA/video.html and "Thirteen" czcams.com/video/NnEzkeaopmA/video.html
A little story about this song. Yes the Box Tops were a band from Memphis and this was the original song. But when they went into the studio to record it, the producer said that he loved everything about the song, but hated the lead singer. The band members immediately went out and found Alex Chilton to sing for them, and the rest, as they say, is history.
The Box Tops were first by a few years with "The Letter" but Joe Cocker's version is well worth checking out.
The Box Tops had a couple of other good songs, but never had anything as big as "The Letter"
"Soul Deep" is the suggestion I'd make if you're inclined to give The Box Tops a second listen.
The Letter and Soul Deep were both written by the great Wayne Carson
Lead singer Alex Chilton is one of those legendary rock-n-roll stories
Jamel - if you want to go deeper with this particular singer, you must review Big Star of which Alex Chilton was a founding member. They went real deep in their songwriting. You'll see comments below requesting Big Star tunes. They were brilliant but never made it into the mainstream.
This song is from the Viet Nam era, thousands of draftees stationed overseas. I was in the Air Force stationed in Tripoli, Libya. This became the song for G.I.s
If you notice they aren't really playing... They're laughing and mugging it up, the keyboard player... 😂😂
Jamel missed it. Cracks me up every time I see it.
I can't get over how detailed the vocals sound in these old recordings. Alex Chilton definitely had a unique voice. Cry Like A Baby was another huge hit for the Box Tops. Thank you for sharing this one.
Hey Jamel! This is one of the greatest pop/rock songs ever recorded. The lead singer, Alex Chilton, went on to become a well-known record producer. The rock band, The Replacements, wrote a song in tribute to him on their album, "Pleased to Meet Me" (released 1987). He played on their album. The song is easy to find as it's simply called "Alex Chilton". 😄 Peace☮ out!
He was known, to a *certain* degree, as a record producer, but his time in Big Star, as one of their two primary songwriters, for their three original studio albums, was *incredibly influential* among decades of power pop groups and indie rockers and more, up to this very day. If you haven't heard Big Star, you haven't heard what led The Replacements to record that song!
Gotta check out the band Alex was in after this, Big Star. Before its time and very influential. If you watched any TV in the 2000s you'll recognize "In The Street" right away.
And September Gurls is a must listen...
Always loved everything about this song especially the Memphis Horns
The Box Tops had several other hits, “Soul Deep” and “Cry Like A Baby”
Yes, this is the Original Version.
When I was a kid, my dad had a real 45 jukebox in the garage workshop. This 45 was on there and was the one song I played more than any other. Dad said the singer was only 16 years old.
@Jamel_AKA_Jamal this was my dad’s favorite song. It reminded him of coming home after his back to back Vietnam tour. I myself am an Iraq/Afghanistan vet and it also hits home for me. RIP Dad. Thanks Jamal!!
Huge hit around the time I left my girlfriend for military service. Never had any idea how prophetic it was!!
The first song I ever downloaded on napster in the year 2000....great song
Tupac changes and the letter were my first two!!!
Lol My first Naptser song was a live version of Neil Youngs Like A Hurricane on dial up it took 17 hours! I swear to god!
@@kona883 I remember!!! I left mine going all night into the next day when I went to school. Mine was downloaded on simba tge original way to get audio wav files onto winamp.
I remember downloading a load of Chilton stuff recommended off music chat rooms.
Great education.
, the lead singer was 16 years old at this recording. The song was written by Wayne Carson that was first recorded by the American rock band the Box Tops in 1967.
I was an eighteen year old freshman in college. A girl across the hall and I would go to every UCLA fraternity house that had a live band and have them play this song so we could pantomime the song and then run to the next house and do it again!!!! But then we called ourselves as Susie Creamcheese and Ethel Thermahorn!!!! And give out the LAPD phone number as ours!!!!!! Those were the days!!!!!!
This came out in 1967, I was born in 1968, so this was my parents' music... but I was raised on it throughout the 1970s. My son was born in 1996, he's almost 25 now, and was raised on the same music. Timeless.
The Box Tops - Cry Like A Baby , Soul Deep, The Letter, Sweet Cream Ladies, Alex Chilton on lead could really sing
More GREAT Muscle Shoals music! One of these days, Jamel is going to discover the movie, MUSCLE SHOALS.
My favorite from the Muscle Shoals studio musicians was Dusty Springfield's Dusty in Memphis!!!!
Sorry, Ken . That was recorded in Memphis. Not Muscle Shoals.
@@kona883 that was the Memphis players. Not Muscle Shoals.
Dusty recorded at American Same studio as Neil Diamond. Elvis in the Getty. A lot of great music recorded at various studios in Memphis
@@kona883 sorry, gary
I was talking about the Song writers which were Spooner Oldham and Dan Penn of Muscle Shoals.
"Upbeat was a syndicated musical variety show produced in Cleveland, Ohio at ABC affiliate WEWS-TV 5 that aired from 1964 to 1971 (the last five years airing nationally in first run syndication).[1]"
I was 6 years old when this song came out and 10 years later, it was still being played on the radio along with Joe Cockers cover. Great tune. PEACE!!!!
This is the original. Cocker covered a LOT of songs.
He only did covers.
@@BuffaloC305 Ever hear "Up Where We Belong"? NOT A COVER.
@@teller628 Oh yes! That's one. I should scroll back thru and I think he's even credited with two.
This is one of my favorite songs. I used to cruise with my dad in his '49 Chopped top Mercury. Some of my best memories. Sure miss those days!
I grew up listening to my Mother playing this song and have always loved his voice. I also love Big Star's Thirteen which has also been on my playlist many years. It was only a couple of years ago I found out they were both sung by Alex Chilton. Mind blown! I had no idea. He sounds so different on them. Love and play them both often still
I love this song so much. I totally forgot about it but I woke up with it in my head this morning. That's the best feeling ever. It's like seeing a good friend that you haven't seen in forever. It just makes your heart sing😩💖
The under 2 minute monster sung by a 16 year old..........unbelievable. A pop classic
Big hit in the 60's. You would love Joe Cockers live version with the great Leon Russell on piano!
"Upbeat" was the name of the TV show on which they were appearing,.
Don't look back in anger - Oasis please Jamel!
Every time I see this video I can't help but laugh at how much fun the band is having, they are hilarious.
Alex Chilton was a kid when he recorded this "One Hit Wonder" type of single. Later on he formed Big Star, which is a hugely influential band. If you really want to keep great music alive :) you should try Big Star.
I'm sure you have already been told that The Box Tops came first. Alex Chilton was only sixteen years old when he sang this song. The Box Tops have another hit called Cry Like A Baby which is pretty much the opposite of what this song is about. I still listen to both songs and enjoy the hell out of them. Jamel, I don't know if you noticed the organ player in the video, he kept pointing to his organ and showing that he wasn't actually playing anything to make fun of the fact that they were just miming to the song.
Jamal and commenters, here are four great songs from the '67 psychedelic period by The Electric Prunes and The Seeds respectively:
1) The Electric Prunes: 1) I Had Too Much To Dream 2) Get Me To The World On Time.
2) The Seeds: 1) Can't Seem To Make You Mine 2) Pushin' Too Hard
Enjoy!
this is one of my fav music videos - the band gets up to joking around because they had to mime and not actually play. 🤣
To continue with Alex Chilton. Big Star - September Girls, Thirteen, In The Streets (this you might know).
Haven't heard this in years! Love the original. A dear friend who passed last year was the horn section arranger of this one and many, many others during this time. This was one of his favs. Anyway, think it's gonna be a Joe Cocker night! Can't wait to watch your JC reaction, Jamel. Keep 'em comin'!
FYI, one of the shortest songs ever to make number 1 on Billboard's Top 100. Right behind Stay by Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs
Hey, this is a Boomer song. The cultural back drop was the Vietnam War. No one has come close to the vocal even Joe Cocker who covered it later. I understand that he was only 16 when they recorded it. Brings back good memories.
Such a good song. The organ makes this song higher level. Alex has a great voice, and yes this is the original, though it's been a hit for a few other artists including the Joe Cocker version which is a typical Cocker production! Per your instructions I'm reminding you to get back to Argent...
Vegetables for me
The kid singing here is Alex Chilton. He went on to found the very influential band Big Star with Chris Bell and later had a pretty solid solo career. He's awesome. Check out some of his stuff, along with Chris Bell's solo stuff off the "I Am The Cosmos" album. They're very underrated musicians.
One thing I liked about these old 60's songs is a almost forgot the old fashion words for things. They use to say aeroplane for air plane, or now they say plane. We used to say telephone, but now we phone. (but now the phone is everything).
This is one of those songs that you remember where you were when you first heard it. I was cruising with my cousin in his '65 GTO, going up I-5 through Burbank. He had a reverb unit hooked up to his radio which enhanced the sound!
@Jamel_AKA_Jamal -- love your channel!
Lead singer Alex Chilton was 16 when this was recorded. He later founded a truly excellent band, Big Star. Favorites of theirs includes "Thirteen", "September Gurls" and "The Ballad of El Goodo"
Alex was then immortalized by The Replacements in their song "Alex Chilton" where they sing "I'm in love/What's that song?/I'm in love/With that song"
The Replacements themselves have many reaction-worthy songs like "Bastards of Young", "The Ledge", "Sixteen Blue"... and of course, my namesake "I Hate Music" :P
You can then move on to bands influenced by The Replacements... like Green Day, Wilco, The Hold Steady, Lucero, etc... :)
And so it goes...
Big hit that all of us of that era remember. Played on the radio frequently!👍🏻
This came out the year I was born. Grew up listening to this, my father especially liked this one and played it a lot.
Yes! Great song. And such a great direction to head into from here - the incredible dive into Big Star! 🌠
Singer Alex Chilton sang with Big Star. Their September Gurls was terrific, and covered a lot by soooo many great acts -- like Matthew Sweet & Susannah Hoffs
Remember the diners had little juke boxes on the tables, miss that!
I love the half-hearted attempts at miming to the playback
They made no attempt to lip-sync or play their instruments in time with the music and were having lots of fun. Good on 'em. Great memories!
Only an idiot cares about that anyway.
The bass player of the Box Tops friended me on Facebook years ago. I highly recommend their song "Soul Deep"
I saw a live version of Alex Chilton in his late 60's or early 70's singing this. He sounds good and is just as cute!
Got to see Alex Chilton live in Boston twice. The first time was a solo set at The Paradise in 2001. Four years later, I saw him with the Box Tops opening for Eric Burdon & The New Animals at The Esplanade along the Charles River.
BTW, if it hasn't been noted previously, Chilton was only 16 when he recorded this song.
This whole Box Tops experience left Alex jaded with the music industry, Big Star was a whole other beast and is the most underrated band of the 70s. September Gurls is a must, check out some Big Star stuff, hopefully soon too. Any of the Big Star suggestions already in the comments are good choices though.
Haha. I just said the same thing about September Gurls before reading your comment. 😃👍
One of my favorite songs of all time
love the feeling and rhythm of this song... that old rock sound.
Jamal / Jamel / Jamul !!!
A suggestion ... if you want one with slightly deeper lyrics, could be “Take a Letter, Maria” by R. C. Greaves in 1969 (not sure if it’s the original version, but pretty sure it is).
Many of the songs we all loved back then turned out to actually be by the Wrecking Crew with only the singer(s) appearing on the recording. I don't know if it's Carole Kaye or Joe Osbourn on the bass part, but it's really good! Funny to see the band acting like they're playing the parts for this TV appearance.
The Letter was recorded in Memphis by the band, not studio players. Almost all TV shows were lip-synched back then. Not live.
Summer of 67. My high school graduation. Went from LA, to Miami to NJ/N.Y. I was 17 and this song was played continuously. Also Bus Stop was popular. Yes Joe Cocker was recorded after.... whole different sound....
Alex Chilton went on from this to form Big Star, a band mostly followed by other musicians. For example, Counting Crows change their line in Mr. Jones from "I wanna be Bob Dylan" to "I wanna be Alex Chilton" on tour
This group did not last long....but I LOVE this group....and LOVE this group!!!! Try the Long version!!!!
This is one of those songs, that when it comes on, you best believe I'm replaying it 5 times in a row.
This is the first record I ever had my dad passed away and my mum and brother got me a record player and this was with it just brought a tear to my eye as my lovely lovely brother passed away just 2 months ago I miss him so much but thank you 🙏🏽 for playing it brought back great memories 🙏🏽🌹
Oh, man! Now you’ve done it.
Let me introduce: Big Star. Alex Chilton, the singer here, formed and fronted a band named Big Star. Zero commercial success but another band who are other band’s favourite band.